Team

Anas Abousalham

STEM Instructor

Anas is a freshman at the CUNY City College of New York, studying for his double major in physics and pure mathematics. He's an FRC alumnus with 4 years of experience in mechanical, electrical, pneumatics, machining, CAD/CAM, strategy, business, and programming. Anas hopes to create a better learning experience for students by evolving his understanding of robotics.

Mick Arnold

Program Associate, STEM Center @ D13

Mick joined NYC FIRST in 2022 after a year of service as an AmeriCorps VISTA, supporting the FIRST community. As a FIRST alumnus and coach, they are passionate about making robotics programs more accessible and inspiring youth to explore STEM through a creative, interdisciplinary lens. Beyond work, Mick enjoys designing products that promote self-love and self-acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community, hitting the gym, and organizing fundraisers and events. You can often find them crafting, spending quality time with their cat, or diving into a good book.

Makayla Brown

STEM Center Coordinator

Makayla Brown joined NYC FIRST as an Instructor at the Washington Heights STEM Center. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in computer science. Her insatiable desire to learn has taken her from participating in her high school’s robotics, gaming, dance, and step clubs to painting, cooking and short story writing in her spare time. She had been crowned by her peers to be a programming master.

Rudiana Bunbury

FRC & FTC Program Manager

The education profession beckoned Rudiana in 2014, when she began working as a college and career counselor in underserved communities. Rudiana later transitioned to managing internship programs in transfer high schools for school-based organizations. After joining NYC FIRST in 2019, she developed a passion for robotics and STEM and has been unwavering in her efforts to inspire and empower underprivileged students to pursue careers in these fields. Rudiana’s ultimate objective is to establish FIRST programs in her native country, Guyana. During her free time, Rudiana relishes spending time with her loved ones, planning events, and traveling.

Lisa Cai

Director of FIRST Programs

Lisa joined NYC FIRST in 2017 and currently serves as the Director of FIRST Programs. Her journey in education started in the after-school domain, followed by managing partnerships at a CTE high school. Being a lifelong New Yorker, she has a strong passion for ensuring that all students in the city have access to robotics education. During her free time, she enjoys embarking on road trips, discovering new culinary experiences, and actively participating in her local community.

Rawlins Echeverria

FIRST LEGO League Program Manager

Rawlins serves as FIRST LEGO League's program manager after joining the team in 2024. After earning his BFA in Theatre Arts from Southern Oregon University, Rawlins has found the perfect intersection of his passions for creative solutions, LEGO, and community building. When he isn't working, you can find Rawlins at the movies, laughing obnoxiously, or quoting reality television with the people he loves the most

Yoav Friedlander

Program Manager, STEM Programs

Yoav is an Program Manager (Special STEM Projects) for NYC FIRST STEM Center at CT. He is a lead mentor for 5 teams this season. Yoav received his MFA from the department of Photography Video and Related Media at the School of Visual Arts in New York. Yoav is a photographer and a scale model artist, an editor, curator designer and educator.

Avi Goldman

Program Coordinator, STEM Center @ D13

Avi is a Program Coordinator for District 13, bringing STEM education and inspiration to Brooklyn! Since a young age, he has been passionate about art and technology. Graduating from SUNY Purchase with a Bachelor's in New Media in 2020, his thesis combined bio-technology with physical computing and code art. He then transitioned to work within the trades; doing welding, fabrication and manufacturing. Prior to working for NYC FIRST, he was putting gold on parts of satellites going to space! Avi is passionate about bringing together both his digital and physical skills to share with and inspire kids through NYC FIRST's integrated STEM program. He comes double-edged with an art and design spirit, yet also a deep appreciation and understanding of the importance of the sciences and trades, and how both of these realms overlap and branch out. He encourages students to think beyond rigid confines! In his free time he loves to cook, pickle things from his garden, and experiment with electronic music and other creative endeavors.

Katiuska Hernandez

District Implementation Manager

Katiuska is a native New Yorker and educator who has dedicated her career to increasing the exposure of STEM and creative arts in underserved communities. She finds great gratification in using a hands-on approach to help youth foster healthy relationships and sharpen STEM skills. Ultimately, her goal is to increase the representation of women and people of color in STEM fields.

Travis Hughes

Program Coordinator, STEM Center @ D13

Travis joined NYC FIRST in 2024 as a Program Coordinator for District 13. He is Moroccan-American and proud of both his heritage and his passion for robotics, which began in childhood when he would take apart various electronic devices and radio-controlled toys to learn how they worked. Outside of work, he creates written and video tutorials on building and programming with Arduino and is currently developing a Mars rover-inspired environmental data collection robot. He is passionate about using technology for good and aims to eventually help move humanity closer to becoming a Type 1 Civilization. His non-tech hobbies include bouldering, biking, and experimenting with growing different types of plants in his indoor garden.

Nick Jerez

Director of People Operations

Previously, Nick served as Director of HR and Operations at Matriculate, a nonprofit empowering high-achieving, low-income high schoolers to reach their college goals;13 years as VP of Operations at U3 Advisors, a university-focused consulting firm, and before that was a Assistant Director at the Children's Aid Society. Nick's passion extends beyond traditional HR. As a Gallup-certified Strengths Coach and talent consultant, he's regularly invited by organizations to lead workshops focused on helping teams uncover, understand, articulate, and activate their unique talents, fostering dynamic and creative workplaces. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Cooke School and Institute; is an avid marathoner and is passionate about music and culture, often "geeking out" about all things electric guitars.

Patricio Jijón

Program Manager, STEM Center @ Washington Heights

Patricio Jijón is a versatile multimedia artist with expertise in animation, 3D design, photo retouching, sound design, and circuit bending. He pursued Graphic Design in Santiago de Chile and Multimedia Arts in Quito, Ecuador. Patricio has a passion for teaching arts and technology to both young minds and adults. Beyond his artistic pursuits, Patricio is a skilled musician, composer, and performance artist. He has showcased his musical talents in various countries, including Mexico, Chile, Ecuador, Cuba, and NYC. Nature holds a special place in his heart, with the Ecuadorian Chocó Andino Cloud Forest being his favorite retreat. In addition to his artistic endeavors, Patricio enjoys the intellectual challenge of chess and holds a Legend level on Chess.com. If you encounter him in the shop, feel free to challenge him to a friendly chess match.

Kate Karageorgiou

Chief of Staff

Kate joined NYC FIRST in 2023 and currently serves as Chief of Staff. Her journey in education started when she became the fundraising chairperson for her university’s Special Olympics organization, followed by roles as math teacher and team leader, nonprofit leader, and eventually both school and district leader in New York City Public Schools. As a lifelong New Yorker, Kate has a strong passion for ensuring that all young people across NYC can pursue their dreams, and sees high-quality STEM opportunities as a vehicle for doing so. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with the people she loves most, especially her husband and three young children.

Andrea Maidanik

Program Manager

Andrea is a Program Manager at the STEM Center @ Cornell Tech. She teaches five credit-bearing classes and works closely with teachers and principals to identify needs and provide guidance. Prior to working at NYC FIRST, she was a makerspace manager at Transformative Learning Technologies Lab. Andrea is passionate about integrating technology, science, art, and play to promote student self-expression and meet the local community's needs. Andrea holds a master's in Instructional Technology and Media from Teachers College, Columbia University. In her free time, Andrea enjoys sports, cooking with friends, and exploring museums.

Ezzeldin Moussa

FIRST AmeriCorp Member

Ezzeldin stands as a FIRST Alumni, having engaged in the First Tech Challenge (FTC) for one year, and four impactful years in the First Robotics Competition (FRC), and subsequently transitioning into a mentorship role post-high school graduation. His commitment further extended to an internship with NYC FIRST, where he contributed significantly to the Robot In A Box (RIAB) project, facilitating the assembly and distribution of robotics kits to students through the Brooklyn Public Library. Through these endeavors, Ezzeldin's paramount focus remains on nurturing and guiding students while actively fostering collaborative interactions with diverse teams across the NYC area.

Sean Sallee

Sr. Operations Manager

Sean joined NYC FIRST in 2018 and serves as NYC FIRST's Operations Manager. Sean began his career in legal services but has remained in the nonprofit industry for over a decade. He is responsible for much of the back end operations at NYC FIRST as helps to get all of our events and competitions set up for success. Sean grew up in Staten Island, NY and is an avid traveler and soccer fan. He's passionate about NYC culture and history and is a constant advocate for growth in the outer boroughs.

Marjorie Schulman

Vice President, Programs

Prior to her role at NYC FIRST, Marjorie served for 8 years as the Executive Director of Brooklyn Boatworks, a STEM-based youth development organization that focuses on experiential education and social-emotional learning, using both DOE classrooms and the NYC waterfront as learning environments. Marjorie has also worked for a women's training and empowerment NGO in India and a grassroots youth development and community advocacy organization in Ecuador. She enjoys climbing tall mountains, getting lost in the woods, eating delicious food, and creating and appreciating high and lowbrow art.

Dana Schwimmer

Program Manager

Dana is a Lead teacher at the STEM center at Cornell Tech. She is a maker, digital designer and fabricator with a versatile experience as an educator who enjoys working on projects at the intersection of design & technology. As an educator, she created programs at fabrication labs, teaching children and adults digital fabrication and physical programming as part of the learning process.

Michelle Sharkey

Director of Development

As Director of Development, Michelle channels her passions for meeting new people and immersing herself in stories to help our donors find meaningful ways to support young people becoming STEM leaders. Originally from the Midwest, Michelle has called NYC home for over 15 years. Her love of public parks first led her to a career at the High Line, where she gained more than a decade of fundraising experience.

Talya Stein

Program Manager, Education and Technology

Talya is the Co Program Manager for NYC FIRST STEM Center at CT. She is coaching 5 teams this season. She is an Educator, Designer, Fabricator, and Artist. She believes good design should be simple, clear, intuitive and as much as possible - interactive. Her strong background in graphic design, and her experience in the physical computing world allow Talya to cross the border between the screen and the physical. She is a proud member of the maker movement and has been inspired by everything from Maker Faire, to ITP, to Vidcode, Hack it Back, TedX.

Isabelle Thomas

Institutional Giving Manager

Isabelle is the Institutional Giving Manager at NYC FIRST, leading the strategic direction, identification, cultivation, and stewardship of institutional funders. Previously, she spent four years working at Symphony Space, removing barriers of access to the arts and arts education for people throughout New York City. When she isn't working, you can find her performing a one-woman a cappella show for her uninterested cat.

Isaiah Wilson

Program Coordinator

Isaiah is a FIRST Alum(one year FTC and four years FRC), and former student at the STEM Center @ Cornell Tech. He has experience in mechanical engineering, manufacturing and design, as well as business/admin. He looks forward to working with students and becoming more involved in programming and electronics.

Michael Zigman

Chief Executive Officer

Michael Zigman has spent over 25 years operating, scaling, advising and financing education and technology companies. As CEO of NYC FIRST, Michael has set and executed on the organization’s strategic vision; ensured the quality of its programs; expanded its traditional core programs while launching new ones, including the STEM Centers and the Corporate Challenge; and grown the NYC FIRST team and board.

Meet Our Team